Caring for blue topaz
Topaz rates 8 on the Mohs hardness scale, harder than quartz and most household dust, so it resists scratches well. Its weak point is cleavage: a sharp knock in the wrong direction can split it cleanly. Care is mostly about avoiding hard blows.
Wearing
- Rings take the most knocks. A protective setting such as a bezel, or a stone that sits low, helps for daily wear.
- Take rings off for gym work, gardening and moving furniture.
- Pendants and earrings are rarely at risk.
Cleaning
- Warm water, a drop of mild dish soap and a soft toothbrush. Rinse and dry with a soft cloth.
- Avoid ultrasonic and steam cleaners. The vibration and sudden heat can open the cleavage.
- Avoid sudden temperature changes, such as hot water on a cold stone.
Storing
- Keep each piece in its own pouch or box section. Topaz can scratch softer gems, and diamond or sapphire can scratch topaz.
Will the color fade?
Blue topaz gets its color from irradiation and heating. The color is stable in normal daylight and indoor light for decades. Long exposure to strong heat, for example a jeweler’s torch during repair, can change it, so tell your jeweler the stone is blue topaz before any work.